Wrapping machine



Nov. 14, 1939. J. w. cHALMl-:Rs

WRAPPING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed May '7, 1938 Nov. 14, 1939. 1 W CHALMERS 2,179,685

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May '7, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 14, l939. J. w. cHALMERs WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May 7, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 mem@ uw .il L

Nox/14, 1939. J. w. cHALMERs WRAPPING MACHINE Filed May '7, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTYS lil Emittenten@ Non.. i3@

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warme Mac .lohn Wallner llialmers, Deptford, lllondon, lngland, assignonto Molins Machine Company limited, liondon, England Application ll/lay 7, 11938, Serial No. 206,677 lin Great Britain lllay l, i937 l illaims.

'l'his invention is for improvements in or relating to wrapping machines, and refers to machines for placing about an article a wrapping of the lrind in which a wrapper folded around an article having a substantially fiat face (e. g. a substantially rectangular flat face) extends beyond the flat face of the article in the form of an open tube, and in which the open end of the tube is to be sealed by collapsing the end of the tube upon itself and securing the adjacent collapsed portions to provide a substantially flat seam of a length equal to half the periphery of the open end of the tube, which seam is thereafter folded against the flat face of the article. Such wrappings are already known.

When forming such wrapping about an article the collapsing of the open end of the tube causes the collapsed portion of the wrapper to splay outwardly from the article being wrapped, because the width of the engaging portions of the collapsed tube is greater than the Width of the tube before collapsing, considered in a direction transverse to the direction in which the collapsing operation is effected. As a result of the collapsing operation the portion of the tube between the end face of the article and the flattened end of the tube caused by such operation consists of four walls, two of which converge from opposite edges of the article at said end face until they meet and form the flattened end of the tube while the other two walls extend laterally from opposite edges ci the article at said end face until they merge into the extremities of the flattened end of the tube. The latter two walls constitute the laterally extending portions hereafter referred to. It is an object of the present invention to provide means to ensure that the laterally extending portions formed by the collapsing operation are neatly formed.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a method of producing wrappings of the kind referred to by forming a wrapper about an article having a substantially flat face, so that at least one end of the wrapper extends in the form of a tube beyond the flat face, collapsing the open end of the tubular portion so that opposed end portions of the extended tubular portion engage each other, causing relative movement between the engaging portions and the flat face of the article so that the engaging portions approach the face while remaining in a plane cr planes normal thereto before, whilst or after the opposed end portions of the tubular portion are brought into engagement and engaging the wrapper at positions adjacent the (Cl, SP3-6) flat face of the article, and moving the portions of the wrapper so engaged transversely to the direction of relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper and the flat face, whereby the length of the laterally extending portions of the wrapper is reduced during the relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper and the flat face of the article and securing the engaged collapsed portions to provide a seam. The seam may be folded against the flat face of the article, and portions of the seam which project outwardly from the'article due to the formation of the seam may be folded into engagement with the sides of the article or against the flat face of the article.

Further, according to the present invention there is provided in or for a wrapping machine of the kind referred to, means for collapsing the open end of the tube, said means comprising movable surfaces to engage the open end of the tube at opposed positions between the flat face and the end of the tube, the surfaces being movable towards each other to form the seam by aty tening the end of the tube whereby opposed portions of the tube engage each other, mechanism for causing relative movement between said surfaces and said flat face of the article in a plane substantially at right angles to the said face whereby they are brought towards one another, and means (e. g. tucking elements) to engage the wrapper at positions adjacent the at face of the article to move the laterally extending portions of the wrapping material transversely to the direction of relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper to reduce the length of the laterally extending portions during the relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper and the flat face of the article. The movable surfaces may be moved in curved paths during the operation of collapsing the open end of the tube and moving the seam relatively to the flat face of the article.

In a modication where the opposed end portions are not in actual engagement before the relative movement takes place the said surfaces and the said flat face are brought toward one another considered in a direction at right angles to the flat face of the article.

Means may be provided to secure the engaging flattened portions. Further, if desired, means may beV provided to fold the attened portion against the flat face of the article, and further means may be provided to fold the tab portions tubular wrapper, comprising the steps of applying adhesive to an inner side of the tubular wrapper at or adjacent an end thereof, and collapsing the end portion of 'the wrapper according to the method set forth above so that the collapsed portions are caused to adhere and thereby close the open end of the wrapper.

`Where herein the term adhesive is used it shall be deemed to include solvents (such as are used in cementing together folds formed in wrapping material which comprises a cellulose derivative) and thermoplastic cements which are adapted to be activated by a solvent or heat, or by heat alone, or by heat and pressure, such for example as a thermoplastic lacquer, which can be used when cementing folds formed in wrapping material comprising a metallic foil. Normally thermoplastic cements are applied to the wrapper blank before it undergoesv any of the folding operations and generally speaking before it is put into a wrapping machine, whereas common adhesives such as gums are applied during the Wrapping operations, but thermoplastic cements may be applied during wrapping for a reason given later.

In the case Where adhesive or solvent is provided it will be appreciated that when the end of the tube is collapsed the engaging portions will be secured together, but if desired the adhesion may be assisted by the use of heat or pressure or by both heat and pressure. In the case where thermoplastic material is employed, means is provided for heating the thermoplastic material so that the end of the tube when collapsed will be secured, and for this purpose the movable surfaces themselves may be heated.

The term tubular wrapper" when used herein, unless otherwise stated, shall include a tubular wrapper having one or both of its ends open.

According to a further form of the invention there is provided a method of forming a package, comprising the steps of folding a wrapper about a mandrel into a tube open at both ends, and having a longitudinal seam, securing said seam by means of an adhesive, closing one end of thetube by collapsing or folding one end of the tube about an end face of the mandrel, securing the collapsed or folded portion by adhesive, removing the partly closed tube from the mandrel, inserting an article into the partly closed tube so that the open tubular end of the latter projects beyond an end face of an article, applying adhesive to the inner side of the partly closed tube at the open tubular end thereof, and collapsing the said tubular end according to the method set forth above so that the collapsed portion is caused to adhere and thereby close the open end of the wrapper.

According to a further form of the invention there is provided apparatus for closing an open end of a tubular wrapper, comprising an adhesive applying device having a transfer element operative to apply adhesive to the inner side of the open end of a tubular wrapper, and mechanism to collapse the open end of the tubular wrapper according to the method set forth so that the open end of the wrapper is closed and secured by the adhesive applied to the inner side thereof.

According to a still further form of the invention there is provided apparatus for forming a package, comprising a mandrel, mechanism to fold-a wrapper about the mandrel to form a tubular wrapper having a longitudinal seam, one end of the tubular wrapper extending beyond the end face of the mandrel, mechanism to engage the end of the tubular wrapper extending beyond the end face of the mandrel and to collapse or fold the seam against the end face of the mandrel to close the open end of the tubular wrapper, means to secure the longitudinal seam and the closed end of the wrapper, mechanism to remove the partly formed wrapper from the mandrel, means to insert an article (e. g. a batch of cigarettes) into the open end of the Wrapper, an adhesive applying device operative to apply adhesive to the inner side of the open end of the wrapper at or adjacentthe open end thereof, and mechanism to collapse the open end of the Wrapper about the end face of the article contained therein according to the method set forth so that the collapsed portion is secured by adhesive applied thereto. The adhesive applying device for applying adhesive to the inner side of the open end of the wrapper may comprise a container for the adhesive, a transfer' device to transfer adhesive from the container to the inner side of the tube, and means to effect relative movement between the transfer device and the open end of the tube, whereby the transfer of the adhesive to the tube is effected. The transfer device may comprise a roller or rollers arranged to oscillate between the container and the open end of a tubular wrapper.

The invention also includes packages made by the method or apparatus aforesaid.

One way of carrying the invention into effect will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, the type of machine chosen being one where adhesive is applied to the wrapper during the folding process.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 to 3 show diagrammatically one end of a tubular wrapper being collapsed. e

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic plan view showing how relative movement between the collapsed portion of the tubular wrapper and the fiat face of the article is effected.

Figures 5 and 6 show diagrammatically in perspective two further stages in the formation of a wrapping of the kind described.

Figure 7 shows a front elevation of part of a wrapping machine illustrating the devices for applying adhesive and collapsing the open end of the tube and thereafter folding the wrapper to the condition shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section of Figure I on line 8 8,

Figure 9 is a perspective diagram showing the method of applying the adhesive to the interior of the tube end.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of the arrow A, Figure 7.

Figure 11 shows mechanism for effecting the final operation to bring the wrapper to the condition shown in Figure 6.

For the purposes of description the article being Wrapped will be referred to as a packet, but it will be understood that other articles may be enclosed in Wrappings of the kind referred to, such other article, for example, comprising a batch of cigarettes, containing a predetermined number' of cigarettes, for example twenty cigarettes arranged in three rows, so that the batch comprises a substantially rectangular batch.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 to 6, a wrapper blank I2 is folded into tubular form about a packet which, as shown in the drawings. is of substantially rectangular cross-section, and has two fiat faces beyond which the open ends I3 of the tubular wrapper extend, the flat faces being end faces of the packet. In the various figures of the drawings one end of the tubular wrapper is shown closed, and the closing operation is shown with reference to one end only. It will be appreciated that in the case where the wrapper originally extends beyond two opposed fiat faces that the closing procedure about to be described is equally applicable to both ends of the open ended tubular Wrapper but if desired one end may be closed in any of the usual known ways.

The tubular wrapper has a longitudinal seam It secured, in the present case, by gum. In cases where a thermoplastic material is used, the seam It is formed by overlapping opposed edges of the wrapper blank, after which heat and, if desired, pressure is applied to the seam I4 so that the thermoplastic material cements the seam together.

The open end of the tube which extends beyond the substantially flat end face of the packet is then engaged by opposed surfaces of folding elements I5 and I6 which are, in the beginning of the operation, inclined to the open end of the tubular wrapper, and the opposed surfaces are moved towards one another so that the open end of the tube is collapsed by a continuation of the movement of which the initial stage is shown in Figure 2. In the present case the tube end is completely collapsed, i. e. the inner surfaces are pressed into contact before any substantial part of the relative movement between the end face of the packet and the collapsed portions takes place. To effect this, the folders I5 and I6 continue to approach one another until a flattened portion or seam 2| of the kind shown in Figure 3 is obtained after which the folders move substantially at right angles toward the fiat face of the article to the position shown in Figure 3. It is however thought to be preferable to collapse the tube only to such an extent that the end portions are separated by, say, Vi," after which the relative movement takes place before or whilst the inner surfaces of the tube ends are brought into contact. It will be appreciated that the exact order in which the movements take place depends on the mechanism employed to operate the folders I5 and I6 and the actual paths through which such folders move. Mechanism for operating the folders is described later and an explanation of the timing of such mechanism to obtain any order of operation is also given.

It will be observed that the opposed surfaces of the folding elements I5 and IIi engage the projecting end of the tubular wrapper at opposed points which are disposed between the open end of the tubular wrapper and the substantially at end face of the packet.

As the folding elements I5 and IB move inwardly as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 further folding or tucking elements Il and vI8 move inwardly and cause the lateral extensions I9 and 2|), Figure 4, to be bowed inwardly so as to facilitate the collapsing of the open end of the tube by the folding elements I5 and I6.

By pressing the opposed surfaces of the folding elements I5 and I6 together a flattened portion 2|, Figures 3 and 4, is thus obtained which provides a seam by means of which the open ends of the tube are sealed. The sealing of the seam 2| may be effected by means of gum or thermoplastic material as above described with reference to the seam I4 and in the latter case the folding Ielements I5 and I6 may be heated so that the heated surfaces together with the pressure exerted thereby cement the seam 2|. As will be seen from the various gures of the drawings. the seam 2| comprises opposed engaging portions of the collapsed end of the tubular Wrapper which engage each other for a relatively long distance considered in the direction of the length of the tube; for example, the opposed engaging portions may extend for a distance equal to half the distance between the flat end face of the packet and the open end of the tube extending from that end face. The collapsing of the open end of the tube causes the width of the seam 2| to be greater than the original width of the tubular wrapper considered in a direction transverse to the direction in which the open end of the wrapper is collapsed, and due to this greater dimension of the length of the seam 2| the collapsed end of the wrapper is provided with lateral extensions I9 and 20 which usually bulge outwardly in the direction of the length of the seam 2|.

Mechanism hereafter described is provided to cause the operating surfaces of the movable elements I5 and I6 to be moved in curved paths so that the operating surfaces collapse the open end of the tube and move the collapsed portion towards the fiat end face of the packet when forming the seam 2|. The opposed movable surfaces are preferably of rounded construction on their inner edges to facilitate the collapsing of the wrapper, the forming of the seam 2| and effecting relative movement between the seam 2| and the fiat end face f the packet. The folding elements I and I6 are moved towards the flat end face of the packet until the seam 2| is located against that face in a manner such that the seam projects therefrom in a plane transverse to the plane of the flat end face, and guide elements may be provided and located so that surfaces thereof are located in the plane of the fiat end face and the lateral extensions |9 and 2li` may be folded against such surfaces of the guide elements. In the actual construction described later these guide elements are constituted by pockets which embrace the whole body of the partly formed package.

It is found in practice that, due to the fact that the lateral extensions I9 and 20 are relatively rigid, even when the wrapper is formed from paper, difficulty is experienced in moving the seam 2| relatively to the fiat end face ofthe packet without the lateral extensions becoming buckled in the process. This is due to the fact that thelateral edges of the seam 2| must move along the lines 22 and 23 indicated in chain line in Figure 4, that is, in straight lines whereas the tendency is for the lateral extensions I9 and 2|) to rotate about the edges 24 and 25 of the flat end face of the packet. This rotation, which if it were possible would cause the points 26 and 2l of the seam 2| to follow the curved paths indicated by the dotted lines 28 and 29, cannot in fact be effected, because such an operation would entail the extension of the length of the seam 2|, which is of course, impossible. In order therefore to reduce the tendency of the lateral extensions I9 and 20 to buckle during the relative movement between the seam 2| and the flat end face of the packet, the folding elements I1 and I8 are arranged to engage the wrapper at positions adjacent the flat end face of the packet and to move the lateral extensions I9 and 20 transversely to the direction of relative movement between the engaging portions of the tubular wrapper constituting the seam 2| and the flat end face, so that, as can be seen by the dotted lines 30 and 3|, the lengths of the lateral extensions I9 and 20 are reduced during relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper and the fiat end face of the packet. These folding elements I'I and I8 may be retained in position Whilst the folding elements I5 and I6 press the collapsed portion of the wrapping material against the fiat end face of the packet.

The movement of the folders I5 and I6 whilst moving the collapsed portion of the tubular wrapper towards the fiat end face of the packet is such that those portions of the wrapping material which extend from the edges 32 and 33, Figure 1, of the fiat end face of the packet towards the edge of the seam 2| are folded about the edges 32 and 33 of the at end face in a manner such as to permit the wrapping material to be folded flat against the flat end face when the folding elements I5 and I6 move the seam against the flat end face as illustrated in Figure 3.

When this folding operation has been effected the movable surfaces of the folding elements I5 and I6 may release the collapsed portion..of the wrapping material and be moved away. It would then be possible to permit a further folding element to fold the seam 2| into engagement with the fiat end face of the packet as shown in Figure 5 after which further folders, e. g., the elements I'I and I8, might fold the extended portions I9 and 2Il against the flat end face of the packet.

Alternatively, these extensions I9 and 20 could be folded on to the sides of the packet.

In the actual construction described later, the folding of the seam 2| and the extensions I9 and 20 is done at a later stage of the operations.

In an alternative arrangement, instead of moving the flattened seam towards the at end face of the packet, the packet itself, together with the wrapper, can be bodily moved towards the movable surfaces gripping the collapsed portion. Thus in effect the result is the same, in that there will be relative movement between the fiat end face of the packet and the attened seam, l

the direction of movement being substantially at right angles to the flat end face of the packet.

The method of closing a wrapper according to the invention having been described in detail, the complete manufacture of a package embodying the invention will now be described and for this purpose reference is made to the machine described and illustrated in United States application Serial No. 171,796.

In the present case the apparatus described in that specification for feeding material for the foil or other liner may be ignored as in the example chosen, the material constituting the wrapper blank consists of a single sheet which may be a paper sheet already provided with foil.

Wrappers comprising a sheet of paper or' a metal foil lining backed with paper, which may if desired, be secured to the foil lining, are fed from a magazine to the mandrels as described in the said specification. The Wrappers, particularly when foil lined, may be provided with thermoplastic material at the positions where seams will occur, or where ordinary gum is used the gum for the longitudinal seam of the wrapper will be applied as described in the specification referred to. The thermoplastic material is superior to gum for joining seams in metal foils and in view of this fact, thermoplastic material may be applied by the adhesive applying apparatus described later.

Alternatively, the wrappers may be cut from a continuous web of material in any known manner.

Each wrapper is formed into a tube about a mandrel and one end of the tube is closed and sealed. This operation may be effected as described in the above-mentioned specification or in any usual way, but preferably it is done by a collapsing method as previously described and by mechanism such as is described in detail later when referring to the final closure of the package. The finished cups or pockets are stripped from the mandrels and fall on to a conveyor band which carries them to the filling apparatus as described in detail in the prior specification. In that specification the filled packets are ejected from the filling drum |93 by a plunger 213 which delivers them to a folding channel, but in the present case a plunger transfers them to an intermittently rotating pocketed wheel for further treatment.

, Referring more particularly to Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 of the accompanying drawings the filling drum |93 of the earlier specication is indicated at 34, Figure '7, and rotates intermittently in synchronism with an intermittently rotated pocket wheel 35. 'I'he pockets 36 disposed at equal distances around the periphery of the wheel are of such size as to hold the body of the package and allow the tubular ends to project beyond the face of the pockets. A plunger 3'| indicated by hatching and moving at right angles to the plane of the drawing ejects an open ended package from a filling drum pocket 38 and pushes it into a pocket 36 while the drum and wheel are stationary and in the position shown in Figure 7.

The pocket wheel rotates in stages and eventually the package referred to reaches a position at the top of Figure 7 where gum is applied to the interior of the tubular wrapper by a gum wheel 39, see Figures 8 and 9. During this movement the package is properly located in the pocket'by a curved guide |39 which engages the closed end of the package. The gumming apparatus consists of an adhesive container 40 which constitutes part of a bearing bracket or support 4I for the gum-wheel driving mechanism. The bearing 4I reciprocates on a spindle 42 which is rotatably supported in bearings 43 and 44 attached to brackets secured to the frame of the machine.. The spindle` 42 is driven by means, not shown, from the machine gearing and has a spiral wheel or Worm 45 xed on it. The spiral 45 drives another 46 fixed on a cross shaft 41 which is journalled in a bracket 48. On the end of shaft 41 is fixed a crank disc 49 having a crank pin 50 to which is attached a connecting rod 5I. The other end of rod 5I is attached to the sliding bearing bracket 4I so that as the disc 49 rotates, the bracket 4I is reciprocated on the spindle 42. The upper part of bracket 4I has two lugs 52 which form bearings for another rotatable spindle 53. This spindle is fixed axially by collars which run against a boss of the bracket 48. A bevel wheel 54 is mounted on spindle 53 and rotated thereby, but the spindle is splined to permit the bevel 98 to reciprocate on it when moved to and fro by the bracket 4I. The spindle 53 is rotated by a spiral wheel 55 which engages with the wheel 88. The bevel wheel 54 engages with another bevel wheel 56 which is fixed on a cross shaft 5l, see Figure 8. On the other end of shaft 5l ls fixed a gum transfer wheel 58 which dips into the bath 48 and transfers gum to the roller 89 when the latter is brought into contact therewith as described later. The shaft 5l also carries a grooved cam 59 and a spur gear 68 which engages with another gear 6I on the spindle 82 of the gum roller 39. The spindle 62 is splined to permit it to slide through the gear BI while driving the same and also carries a roller 83 which runs in the cam groove. It will thus be seen that as the mechanism is driven the roller 89 will rotate and also move into and out of the interior of the wrapper tube and into contact with the gum transfer roller 58. Moreover, the reciprocatlon of the bracket 4I will carry the whole mechanism to and fro so that a streak of gum is applied to one side of the tube and at each end of the stroke the tube will distend to the shape of the roller 39.

In addition to the above described movements the mechanism is rocked about the axis of the spindle 82 so that the roller 39 enters the tube mouth easily by moving in an arc struck about said axis. This rocking motion is obtained in the following way:-The bracket 48 is pivoted to the spindle 42 and in view of the previously described arrangement, a rocking motion about this spindle will be communicated to the gum applying mechanism. A cam 84 driven from the machine in conjunction with a spring 88 reciprocates a cam rod 85 which is pivoted at 6l to a lug on the bracket 48. Thus this bracket is rocked about the spindle 42 and in consequence the gum roller 39 receives the required movements.

Two further stages of the intermittent motion brings the package into the position Where the tube collapsing mechanism closes the end according to the method set forth. This mechanism is shown in Figures 7 and 10. The folders or tuckers Il and I8 are pivoted at 88 to lugs 89 which are formed on a slide member 18. The

slide is reciprocated in a guide 'II which is xed to the machine by a support Ill. A bell crank lever I2 is pivoted at 'I3 and oscillated about its pivot by a cam 74, thus moving the slide I8 to and fro. The movement is sumcient to move the slide from the position shown in Figure 7 to a position nearer the axis of the pocket wheel in order to permit the open tube end to pass without obstruction into the position where it 'is to be collapsed.

The levers 'I5 which carry the folders I'I and I8 have rollers 'I8 at their ends which engage abutments 'I'I fixed to the guide 1I. In the position shown in Figure 7, the rollers have just cleared the abutments thus permitting the folders Il and I8 to move into their operative position under the action of springs 18. On the return movement of the slide I8 the folders are opened to clear the package as the rollers 'I8 strike the abutments Il.

IThe folding elements I5 and I5 are pivoted at |l9, Figure 10, to brackets 88 and 8l. The bracket 88 is fixed to a plate 82 while the bracket 8l is slidably attached to the plate 82 and travels along the slot 88 as described below. The plate 82 is supported by levers 84 and'85 which are pivoted at 85. The levers 88 and 85 are operated by a cam 81 and springs, one of which 88 is shown. The shape of the cam is such that the ends of the levers which are attached to the plate 82 are caused to approach and recede from one another at intervals andthe slotted plate 82 controls the bracket 8| so that the elements I5 and I8 are substantially parallel to one another during the movements.

Referring to Figure lt will be seen that springs 88 normally keep the elements I5 and I8 inclined to the plane of the tube end. As the levers 84 and 85 move the folding elements towards one another screws 98 strike xed abutments, one of which 9I is shown. During the further movement of the levers the folding elements which have already collapsed the tube to a at condition are caused to swing about their pivots I9 and thus the collapsed and gripped tube end is moved towards the end face of the article.

By adjusting the screws 98 the movement of the folders I5 and I8 toward the flat face of the article may be advanced or retarded as desired. For example, if the operative end of the screw 98 shown in Figure 10 is caused to project further out of the folding element it will strike the abutment 9I sooner and thus the folders I5 and I6 will commence to turn on the pivots 'I8 and approach the flat face of the article. If, however, the end of the screw does not project so much, the folders I5 and I8' will continue to approach one another for a longer time and the movement toward the flat face of the article will be delayed. In this way the mechanism may be set so that the collapsed seam is formed before ,the engaging portions make any appreciable movement toward the flat face of the article or the mechanism may be set so that the folders start to move toward the said flat face before they approach one another sufficiently to form the collapsed seam.

After these operations are completed the slide 'I8 moves towards the axis of the pocket wheel and the folders I5 and I6 and I'I and I8 are withdrawn from the closed tube end and the pocket wheel then moves on stage by stage.

The seam ZI is then folded down on to the end of the package so that the latter is in the condition shown in Figure 5. The turning over of the seam is effected by an arc shaped guide 82 supported on members '93. This guide is similar in construction and operation to the guide |39, but the end adjacent to the tube collapsing apparatus is formed as a spiral folder of the usual plough share pattern. As the closed package moves away from the collapsing apparatus the spiral folder turns the seam 2I down on to the package end.

At the lowest point of the` pocket wheel the packages are ejected from the pockets by a plunger 94, also shown by hatching, moving at right angles to the plane of the drawing and delivered on to a machine bed 95. A chain conveyor 96 runs along the middle of the bed and carries pushers 91 which travel in a guide slot in the bed. Each pusher conveys a package along the bed between guides 98 and past a gumming apparatus which applies gum to the ears 89, Figure 5, or to the end of the package adjacent suchears. If both ends of the Wrapper tube have been closed by the collapsing methoda set of gumming apparatus is arranged at both sides of the machine bed 95.

The gumming apparatus corsists of a bath |88 with a transfer `wheel I8I and a gum applying wheel |02 whichrotates in a horizontal plane. Such apparatus is very well known and needs no further description. The wheel |02 has projecting lugs |03 which receive gum from the` transfer roller and apply it to the desired places on the package. Two lugs |03 are vshown in Figure 7, but their number depends on the relative speeds of the wheel and the chain conveyor. It is only necessary to arrange that the lugs shall be timed to contact with the package at the proper intervals.A The gummed package is then moved by the pusher 97 or a similar device on a further conveyor beneath a vertical stacker |04, Figure 11. A top plate |05 controls the package during this movement. As a package is moved beneath the stacker in the leading ears are folded on to the package ends by plough share folders |06 fixed near the base of the stacker. The package is then moved vertically upwards into the stacker by a reciprocating platform |08 and during its travel up the stacker the remaining ears are folded over on to the package end by further spiral folders |01. The stacker may be heated as usual to assist in drying the seams. The f|nal form of the package is as shown in Figure 6.

If desired, either before the packages are moved into the magazine or as they leave the magazine, they may be passed to mechanism which applies bands or strips, for example, revenue stamps, to the wrappers in any desired manner. Further, if desired, collating mechanism may be provided at the outlet end of the magazine and arranged to collate the packages in predetermined numbers which may if desired be inserted into boxes arranged to receive a predetermined number of packages.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of producing wrapplngs of the Y, kind referred to by forming a wrapper about an article having a substantially flat face, so that at least one end of the wrapper extends in the form of a tube beyond the flat face, collapsing the open end of the tubular portion so that opposed end portions of the extended tubular portion engage each other, causing relative movement between the engaging portions and the flat face of the article so that the engaging portions approach Vthe face while remaining in a plane or planes normal thereto, engaging the wrapper at positions adjacent the at face of the article and moving the portions of the wrapper so engaged transversely to the direction of relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper and the flat face whereby the length of the laterally extending portions of the wrapper is reduced, and securing` the engaged collapsed portions to provide a seam.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which those portions of the tubular wrapper which are to be flattened are provided in situ with adhesive material, applied to an inner side of the tubular wrapper at an' end thereof after which the end of the tubular wrapper is collapsed.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seam is folded against the flat face of the article and those portions of the seam which project outwardly from the article due to the manner of forming the seam are folded against the sides of the flat face of the article.

4. In a wrapping machine of the kind referred to, means for collapsing the open end of the tube, said means comprising movable surfaces to engage the open-end of the tube at opposed positions between the flat face and the end of the tube, the surfaces being movable toward each other to form the seam by attening the end of the tube whereby opposed portions of the tube engage each other, and mechanism for causing relative movement between said surfaces and said fiat face of the article so that the said surfaces and the said flat face are brought toward one another considered in a direction at right angles to the flat face of the article, and tucking elements to engage the wrapper at positions adjacent the fiat face of the article and to move the laterally extending portions of the wrapping material transversely to the direction of relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper to reduce the length of the laterally extending portions during the relative movement between the engaging portions of the collapsed tubular wrapper and the iat face of the article.

JOHN WALKER CHALMERS. 

